Kim’s Bounce‑Back Bash
Three months ago, Dae Hwan Kim—yes, the “Ottogi” who’s been nicknamed for sizzling winning streaks—feel like he hit a wall instead of hitting the sweet spot. But guess what? He’s come back, guns blazing, and ready to give the crowd a knockout of an eye‑catching performance.
Match‑up: Kim vs. Daichi Takenaka
- Date & Location: Friday, 23 Feb, Yangon, Myanmar (ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD)
- Opponent: Shooto featherweight champ Daichi Takenaka, undefeated in the ring
- Goal: Earn a second, shiny ONE Championship title after last December’s missed opportunity
Kim’s Mindset
“He’s a solid warrior,” Kim says. “But I’m even sturdier. I’m aiming to carve a place in history.” The plan? Show a knockout‑ready show from the stand‑up, while keeping his Jiu‑Jitsu super‑powers ready for a surprise finish.
Training Insights
With his brother as co‑coach, Kim has been tightening his kicking game and sharpening moves that will let him dominate from the top. After a tough loss to world‑champ Leandro Issa, he learned that feeling the pressure of a BJJ black‑belt ain’t the same as the real, ruthless trigger.
I didn’t feel his killer instinct last fight, but I learned 100% from the pressure. I’m still a top‑tier world title challenger, and now I’ll bring a new version of myself to the ring.
Why Yangon Matters
- It’s a stage that could set him up for ONE gold.
- One needs to wow the crowd with a brew of stand‑up and grappling.
- Kim’s plan is simple: “I’ll KO him—stand‑up, and if he comes to the mat, it’ll be a tasteful smoothie of Jiu‑Jitsu.
All in all, he’s ready to surprise Korea, surprise the world, and maybe become the best‑ever ONE champion. Fingers crossed, folks—it’s one fight from the city of sunrise that could decide everything.
